The scientific article “A Comprehensive Review on Techno-Economic Analysis and Optimal Sizing of Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources with Energy Storage Systems” features the institutional participation of Carmen Lilí Rodríguez Velasco, who is listed as an author affiliated with both the International Ibero-American University (UNINI Mexico) and the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO). This contribution highlights the involvement of both universities in a comprehensive review of efficient strategies for designing and implementing hybrid renewable energy systems with storage, aimed at improving the sustainability, technical reliability, and economic-environmental viability of electricity generation.
The growing global demand for energy, along with the negative impacts associated with the intensive use of fossil fuels—such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on non-renewable resources—has driven the search for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions. Against this backdrop, hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES), which combine various sources such as solar, wind, and biogas with energy storage systems, have emerged as promising alternatives for both grid-connected areas and off-grid communities.
Traditionally, electricity generation has relied heavily on fossil fuels. Although some initiatives have supported the use of stand-alone renewable energy—such as photovoltaic systems or isolated wind turbines—these options face challenges related to intermittency and a lack of energy continuity. In rural regions or on islands, grid infrastructure is often limited or costly to expand, highlighting the need for robust hybrid energy solutions that integrate storage to ensure continuous supply.
The review conducted in this study presents a critical and comprehensive synthesis of the most recent scientific literature on the techno-economic analysis and optimal sizing of HRES with energy storage systems (ESS). The authors not only compile existing methodological approaches but also examine the objective functions, design constraints, optimization methods, and software tools used to adapt these systems to various technical, economic, and environmental conditions.
The analysis covered multiple studies employing various combinations of renewable energy sources and storage technologies. The optimization methods evaluated include both metaheuristic algorithms—such as genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization—and specialized simulation platforms. These approaches enable the determination of the optimal size of each component of the hybrid system, balancing factors such as levelized cost of energy (LCOE), reliability, carbon emissions, and responsiveness to variations in electricity supply and demand.
The results highlight that:
- The integration of energy storage systems (ESS), whether through advanced batteries, compressed air storage, or pumped hydro systems, is key to mitigating the intermittent nature of sources such as solar and wind, providing a more stable and continuous supply.
- Metaheuristic optimization methods demonstrate high effectiveness in finding configurations that balance cost, reliability, and generation efficiency, outperforming traditional techniques in many cases.
- Optimal sizing of HRES depends heavily on the application context (grid-connected vs. off-grid) and the project’s priority objectives, requiring tailored approaches that consider climatic conditions, demand profiles, and economic constraints.
These findings suggest important implications for governments, energy planners, and companies in the sector. The adoption of optimal design strategies for hybrid systems not only promotes the energy transition toward cleaner and more sustainable solutions but also reduces long-term costs and decreases the environmental footprint of electricity generation. The review emphasizes the need for comprehensive approaches that align with public policies, economic incentives, and emerging energy storage technologies.
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